final FIVE date nights on the cheap

From my previous post with five cheap or free dates, I told you how important I think date night is for couples. As promised, here are five cheap date night ideas! If you have any great date ideas or anything fancy you want to share, e-mail me at livethefancylife@gmail.com. Enjoy!

Date #6: Movie date!Get $5 AMC Movie Theater tickets Monday through Thursday nights for all shows. Grab the $5 all you can drink and eat pop and popcorn special (not on the menu-just ask!) and you have a pretty cheap date. Compare that to the $9 or $10 average tickets on the weekends!Total cost: $10 for tickets and whatever refreshments you choose.

Date #7: Fancy car dateThis date idea comes from one of my fancy amigas with a husband who loves hot cars! Grab your date and hit up car lots anywhere in the Twin Cities. Test drive only the fanciest cars they have on the lot—don’t go for the priced right and practical Corolla or Civic, head to your dream car or your date’s dream car! After all, when else might you drive this car in the next few years? Test drive as many as you want and enjoy every minute of it. Then grab takeout on your way home and pick up an action flick from Redbox (especially ones with fast cars). This is a great date for you to plan as a surprise if you have someone in your life who LOVES cars. I’m not a big action movie person or a big car person, but Mr. Fancy is, so this one will be a nice treat for him!Total cost: Could be just $1.07 for the Redbox movie if you make dinner at home!
Date #8: COFFEE and books date!Everyone who knows me knows I love two beverages more than any others—coffee and bubbly (prosecco, cava, champagne-doesn’t matter!). This date is great for any of you who are coffee lovers too. Plan to have a daytime date at the 20th Annual Calhoun Coffee Festival on Saturday, November 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At just $9 per person, you get samples of coffee, tea and all kinds of treats from vendors including local and national companies. Enjoy lots of entertainment and receive a free collectible coffee fest mug (the perfect way to remember the day). And the proceeds benefit Second Harvest Heartland. After a great day of coffee drinking, find a new bookstore to spend some time reading off your caffeine buzz. My favorites are Barnes and Noble (downtown, Calhoun Village or Har Mar Mall) and Magers & Quinn Booksellers. Or visit one of the fine libraries of our two cities. I especially love the Minneapolis Central Library.Total cost: $9 per person

Date #9: Super random, super eclectic Saturday dateStart your evening with a slice of pizza at Pizza Luce downtown Minneapolis for less than $5 a slice. Then walk, drive, bike or bus to the W Foshay Tower for an amazing view. Ask the front desk to direct you to the observation deck on the 27th floor for a free unbelievable view of downtown Minneapolis. After the Foshay make your way to The Southern Theater for an interesting night. Every Saturday at midnight, The Southern Theater offers a $5 “experimental cabaret.” You never know what you are going to get. Enjoy songs, monologues, dance or poetry from local artists (both unknown and known). By the end, you will be ready for your head to hit the pillow.Total cost: $10 per person including dinner!

Date #10: Winter dateStart your evening at home by enjoying a homemade dinner (or let’s face it, even a frozen pizza will do!). Then, head to the Holidazzle Parade in downtown Minneapolis. The parade runs November 27 through December 20 at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to bring your camera and take lots of pictures. There is nothing fancier than a cute couple in warm winter sweaters and hats holding each other with Christmas lights all around! After the parade, make your way to the downtown Minneapolis Macy’s 47th Annual Santa Land on the eighth floor (November 21 through December 30). I recommend doing this date during the week when it’s not so crowded. This date is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. After you enjoy “A Day in the Life of an Elf,” find a new coffee shop and enjoy conversation with your honey with a warm cup of hot cocoa, coffee or tea. I recommend Dunn Brothers on 3rd and Washington or venture slightly to the north to Wilde Roast Café in Northeast Minneapolis. Total cost: $6 for hot cocoa, coffee or tea.

Watch livethefancylife.com this week for things to be thankful for and features of some of the Twin Cities’ fanciest people!

3 Responses to "final FIVE date nights on the cheap"

Thanks for the tip on the coffee festival. I don’t have a significant other to take, but some girlfriends and I are going to go. I think that is the great thing about all of these tips- they are great for a date or even a day out with friends.